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Rapid Collection of Floral Fragrance Volatiles using a Headspace Volatile Collection Technique for GC-MS Thermal Desorption Sampling
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Epiphytic Bacteria Alter Floral Scent Emissions
Carola Helletsgruber1, Stefan Dötterl1, Ulrike Ruprecht1
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|November 15, 2017
Summary
Epiphytic bacteria significantly alter floral scent by adding, reducing, or changing volatile compounds. This bacterial influence impacts flower-animal interactions, affecting pollination and plant reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Floral scents mediate crucial interactions between plants and other organisms.
- Emissions of floral volatiles are known to be influenced by root, leaf, and flower-associated organisms.
- The specific impact of epiphytic bacteria on floral scent composition remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of epiphytic bacteria on the composition of floral scent.
- To understand the mechanisms by which bacteria influence floral volatile emissions.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of volatile organic compounds emitted by sterile and bacteria-inoculated plants.
- Analysis of floral scent composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Main Results:
- Bacteria were found to add new volatile components to the floral scent.
- Bacterial inoculation induced changes in the emission rates of existing floral compounds, including reductions and potential catabolism.
- Significant alterations in the overall floral scent profile were observed due to bacterial association.
Conclusions:
- Epiphytic bacteria actively modify floral scent composition through various mechanisms.
- These bacterial-mediated changes in floral scent have the potential to disrupt plant-animal interactions.
- The findings highlight the ecological significance of bacteria in mediating plant reproduction and pollination success.
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